Perilous, Prophet and Papa

About the Book

This book is a powerful story about my dad, Nelson B. Staples Jr., who was confronted with death on several occasions, only to see God undeniably defy death on his behalf, which made Dad a walking miracle. Dad’s life was guided by God as he worked in the coal mines for twenty years, served in the United States Military during the Jim Crow era, as he worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital as supervisor of building management and EEO counselor for thirty-two years, and as he was pastor of several churches in rural West Virginia. Even though my dad faced much opposition, God gave him the vision to become the founder and builder of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Beckley, West Virginia, which had over eight hundred members on the church roster during his tenure.

About the Author

Dr. Jerry R. Staples, M.Div. D. Min, comes from a long line of ministers. He answered the call to preach, was licensed on December 8, 1991, and was ordained on March 25, 1995, by the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Beckley, West Virginia, after being called as pastor of First Baptist Church, Price Hill, West Virginia. He is the youngest son of Mrs. Virgie A. Staples and the late Rev. Nelson B. Staples Jr. He is married to Cassandra D. Staples. They were married on December 31, 1980. Pastor Staples retired from the United States Postal Service as an EAS Level 18 Postmaster while working at Hinton, West Virginia, and was also in charge of the Sandstone, Jumping Branch, and Nimitz, West Virginia post offices. He is a journeyman electrician in the state of West Virginia. He has the earned associate, bachelor of science, master of arts, master of divinity, and doctor of ministry degrees from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He has served as the chaplain for the National Association of Postmasters of the United States (West Virginia Chapter), recording secretary of the Mountain State Baptist Convention Inc., treasurer of the Winding Gulf Baptist District Association, and treasurer of the Mountain State Baptist Convention. During his first pastoral call of seven years, Rev. Dr. Jerry R. Staples, under the divine inspiration of God, led the First Baptist Church of Price Hill from being one of the smallest congregations in the state of West Virginia to one that had the largest Sunday school in the state of West Virginia. Being led by God, he resigned as pastor of First Baptist and returned to Mount Zion Baptist Church, whereby he served his dad, the Rev. Nelson B. Staples Jr., with practical love for eight years, and whose health was failing, could not lead his congregation as he once did, and passed from death unto life at eighty-six years of age in September of 2008. Dr. Jerry R. Staples is presently serving as pastor of the Liberty Baptist Church in Charleston, West Virginia, since June 3, 2012, whereby many have been saved and come into the body of Christ under his leadership. Dr. Staples is a devoted husband, a loving father, an outstanding teacher, and filled with the Holy Spirit of God.